Lake District

Make the most of long, sunny days exploring the great outdoors. We're home to mountains, rolling hills, lakes, woodlands and wildlife. Find the perfect place to play out this summer in the Lake District.

From watersports to stone skimming, lakeside walks to challenging hikes, the Lakes has everything you need for an active day out, all year round.

With secluded gardens, hidden beaches and historic homes off the beaten track, we’ve plenty of hidden gems where you can find a quieter place to explore this spring.

By a lake, in the woods or in the grounds of a historic home, make the most of the sunny weather with these perfect picnic spots in the Lake District. Unroll your blanket, pack your favourite treats, and enjoy lunch in the great outdoors.

The Lakes may be better known for dramatic landscapes than intimate country gardens, but there are some real gems waiting to be explored.

The gardens and estate at Sizergh are bursting with the sights and smells of summer. Stretch your legs in the woodlands and explore the wild-life rich wetlands. Inside, the house is a treasure-trove of trinkets collected by 26 generations of the Strickland family. Relax over a cuppa in the cafe, or takeaway to enjoy while you explore.

This lakeshore park with stunning mountain views is situated at the very southern tip of Lake Windermere. Stroll along paths to find flower meadows and the Pinetum – the park’s collection of specimen trees. Make a splash with rowboat, kayak and paddleboard hire this summer. If you're visiting at busy periods like weekends and school holidays, please book your tickets in advance to guarantee entry.

There’s a kaleidoscope of colour waiting to be discovered in the gardens at Acorn Bank. Soak up the fragrant smells of the National Trust’s largest herb collection, and walk through the peaceful woodlands, discovering Acorn Bank’s surprising industrial heritage and wildlife as you explore. Pick up a treat in the pop-up café, and stop by the working watermill.

Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life. The cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. Make your way up the garden path and see for yourself why Beatrix loved this place. Book your tickets in advance to guarantee entry.

Enjoy a summer stroll through the gardens and woodlands at Allan Bank. Stop by the feeders to spot the resident red squirrels. Step inside and browse the temporary installation shining a light on three of Allan Bank’s most famous former residents. Tuck into a picnic on the lawn soaking up the views across Grasmere and Loughrigg fell.

Absorb the rugged scenery of the Lakeland fells as you steam your way across Coniston Water onboard the historic Steam Yacht Gondola. Book your 2021 cruise now.

The childhood home of William Wordsworth. Stroll through the quiet walled garden, bursting with summer scent and colour, and discover the place where William learned his love of nature. Inside the Georgian townhouse, the rooms give a glimpse into life in the 1770s.

Tucked away in the village of Hawkshead, Beatrix Potter's gallery is one of the only places you can see original watercolour illustrations and drawings from one of our favourite Lake District authors. Book your ticket in advance to guarantee entry.

Claife Viewing Station is a rare example of a purpose-built public viewing station, dating back to the 1790s. It's one of the earliest monuments to tourism in the Lake District.

The Wordsworths weren’t the only family to leave their mark on Wordsworth House. The Ellises, who lived there in the 1930s, were almost responsible for its destruction.

Beatrix Potter relished life in the Lake District, becoming involved in farming, breeding sheep and conservation.

One of the founders of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley helped us acquire some of our first places for the nation. Discover which places he helped to save.

No two days are the same for our rangers, and the variation only adds to their love of the Lake District fells. Meet Upland Ranger, Sarah.

Whether we're swimming, cycling, horse-riding or walking the dogs, we can all help to look after the Lake District.

We're proud to care for over 20% of the Lake District National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That includes 90 farms and as much as 70% of the world’s Herdwick sheep.